A Sampling of Clips for Dec. 17, 2010

* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office

Dr. Seuss Widow Gives $2 Million to UC San Diego Renovation Project
Los Angeles Times, Dec. 16 -- Audrey Geisel, widow of Dr. Seuss author Theodor Geisel, has donated $2 million to UC San Diego to help in the renovation project for University House, the private residence of the UC San Diego chancellor. More

Similar stories in
San Francisco Chronicle
Ventura County Star
The Sacramento Bee
San Diego Union-Tribune

Don't Eat the Blue Shellfish
Discovery Channel, Dec. 15 -- The hungry blogger aims her fork towards a plate of seafood on the lab bench in front of her when a mussel suddenly cries out, “Wait -- don't eat me!” Well, not quite. But researchers at UC San Diego have developed a fluorescent warning system that lights up in the presence of toxins that could lead to food poisoning for a consumer. More

Parents' Partying Could Lead to SIDS for Baby
Consumer Affairs, Dec. 16 -- Parents of newborns would be wise to lay off the sauce on New Year's Eve for several reasons, but perhaps most importantly is a night of drunkenness could inadvertently cause crib death. According to a new study by UC San Diego sociologist David Phillips, the number of babies who die of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, surges by 33 percent on New Year's Day. The suspected reason? Alcohol consumption by caretakers the night before. More

Similar story on
Babble.com

All-Star 'Memorial Celebration'
for Climate Scientist Brings Powerpoints, Guitars, and Wine
Science, Dec. 16 – Steven Schneider was a tireless and prolific scientist, publishing hundreds of influencial papers that he wrote, or edited as founder of Climatic Change. His battle with lymphoma barely slowed him down, but some speculated that his relentless pace may have ultimately taken a toll. Schneider died in July of an apparent heart attack while flying back to California from a climate meeting. (Mentions UC San Diego science historian Naomi Oreskes) More

A Righteous Fist
The Economist, Dec. 16 -- The Boxer Uprising, 11 years before the collapse of China’s last imperial dynasty, was portrayed in Western accounts as a savage outburst of primitive xenophobia directed at the West and its civilising religion, Christianity. But in China the Boxers are officially remembered as somewhat misguided patriots. (Quotes Joseph Esherick of UC San Diego) More

Artist Roy McMakin Asks ‘What’s Your Favorite Color?’
KPBS, Dec. 16 -- Artist Roy McMakin wants to know what your favorite color is and why. The acclaimed artist and UC San Diego grad will be in La Jolla this weekend constructing a mural using the favorite colors of passers-by. We'll talk with McMakin about interactive mural-making, color and his career in art, architecture and design. More

Vaccine Makers Fund Whooping Cough Advisory Panels
North County Times, Dec. 16 -- If scientists don't take money from drug companies, how will important medical research be funded? But if they do take the money, will they be biased in favor of the company that funds them? These questions, common in the medical field, are pertinent during the pertussis epidemic, when the universal recommendation for avoiding the disease is vaccination and when some scientists are debating the efficacy of the vaccine. (Quotes Michael Kalichman, professor of pathology and director of the UC San Diego Research Ethics Program) More

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